I have always been interested in the deaf and am a former elementary school teacher. What are the pros and cons of working with the deaf? For years I considered teaching deaf children and thought it was what I wanted to do. But when I spent time in a regular elementary classroom, testing became the mainstay and I started to worry about testing and sign language. I always wanted to learn sign language yet to have to rely on a language with the demands of testing and teaching the academics seemed daunting. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Thank you for the advice everyone. To Marci: I was wondering if you either teach deaf children or are an interpreter? The reason I ask is because it sounds like you think signing in a career is either not for me or you think it is a lot of work in general. I've never known any deaf people so it would be a totally new experience.
As for the deaf viewing themselves as a culture and not a disability, I tend to agree with you. I once observed a classroom at the Mill Neck Manor for the Deaf. I could see right away that people there viewed themselves as speaking any other language than English. However, I don't understand why parents' wouldn't want their children to hear, even a little bit if they had the opportunity to with Cochlear Implants. I say this for deaf parents as well. I used to think sign language was the the best way for deaf and hard-of-hearing kids to communicate until Cochlear Implants made a huge difference in the lives of these kids. Have you seen the video on YouTube with the baby boy who heard his mother's voice for the first time? That was amazing to me. Of course his parents are hearing so I guess deaf parents view their children as being different when they can hear.
Thanks again for the information!
I would highly suggest that you become fluent in ASL before teaching Deaf children. This would take years. As a previous poster said, the Deaf community is very tight-knit and it would take awhile to immerse yourself in that community and gain it's trust. If you are interested in learning ASL, I suggest you find some classes and a Deaf mentor. The best way to learn the language is from a native user.
My son is going to RIT in Rochester in a few weeks, when we were there last summer for a weekend we saw they have a huge HI department, they may have information for someone like you with programs for students as well as educators....why don't you go to their website and see what's there?
ASL (American Sign Language) was my language that I chose for college language requirements, and then as a former Child Developmental Specialist, I did use some sign language with kids with speech problems and a few deaf people.
You need to consider that the deaf are a culture, not a disability. They see themselves as a minority group, not disabled. Deaf people are very private with their language and their social groups, including who they will accept into their circles. This is not my observations, this is what was taught to me in a college course on deaf culture and by an ASL interpreter/teacher. The inner circle is only for people born deaf who grew up signing. Even their own hearing family members are not included in this circle. Then family members of deaf people are much more accepted as teachers and interpreters than people who just happen to have an interest in sign language. People who just like learning sign and want to sing with deaf people are actually viewed with suspicion or at least wariness and it takes a long time to earn their trust and confidence. Deaf people view signing as the best way to communicate. Using hearing aids, cochlear implants, or learning to read lips and speak are all frowned on. If deaf people have deaf children, they pretty much never use anything but sign with their kids.
If you want to be so fluent in sign that you can interpret for people, it is an exhausting job. Interpreting for one hour is a looonnng time in sign. You need breaks or to switch off with another person. If you want to be a teacher that is simultaneously signing to your class, that would be very, very hard and would take years of practice.
I don't know if I answered your question about testing, but I hope I have helped you.
